Adam Armstrong is unlikely to be returning to Barnsley next season – according to Tykes boss Paul Heckingbottom.

Armstrong is ruled out of the final day clash at St James’ Park due to the terms of his season-long loan from Newcastle, meaning a campaign earmarked as a potentially pivotal one for the 20-year-old striker is over. Armstrong’s season will be extended by linking up with England’s underage sides later in the summer and he is highly-rated in the national team’s set-up – but his first season of regular football in the second tier has been a mixed one.

The question of where his career goes next is a fascinating one, especially with Newcastle’s promotion to the Premier League meaning that the club will likely target another two strikers in the summer window.

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Armstrong wanted a chance at St James’ Park last year but even when United made a stuttering start in the Championship, Benitez did not believe he was ready to lead the line for Newcastle in the second tier and sent him out to Barnsley to get regular football. In 21 starts he’s scored six times – enough for regulars at Barnsley to see his potential without actually believing he’s fulfilled it fully in South Yorkshire.

He’ll return for pre-season but will be made available for loan again. Bradford City, who pushed hard to try and sign him last summer, will be among many Football League clubs keen to take him but Benitez will want to see more from him in his next loan spell.

Barnsley would consider returning for him, but Heckingbottom thinks he will probably move elsewhere. “We probably won’t be able to keep any of our loan players. You never know but I would be surprised. If loan players perform well for us, other clubs become interested and we price ourselves out,” he said.

Adam Armstrong (Image: The FA Collection)

Benitez will proceed with caution. The Barnsley loan has been a learning experience and one that Armstrong must build on.

The 20-year-old has been used regularly at Oakwell but in Barnsley’s first season back in the Championship, he has been unable to stop their campaign fizzling out after a bright start. There have been a couple of spells out through injury

He scored Barnsley’s goal of the season for a sensational piece of individual skill and a deft finish at Preston but it’s been hard work at times for Armstrong. He has played on his own up front on occasions – not a role that he has relished at Barnsley.

The Barnsley Chronicle’s Doug O’Kane said: “It’s been mixed, really.

“You can see the fantastic potential that he has got and on occasion he really did look the part. But there have been times where he’s not really been able to get into games, and he’s been on his own front at times as well, which isn’t where I think he wants to play.

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“He came with such high hopes because of what he’d done at Coventry and when he scored that goal at Preston I think everyone expected him to really go on and get 10 or 15 goals. But it’s not been that easy for him.

“I think Barnsley would be open to bringing him back but I suppose that depends on cost and what Newcastle have planned for him.”

Benitez wants Newcastle to develop players through their Academy and will be willing Armstrong to make the jump in the next few years. But another Championship loan move is likely – with Armstrong expected to show that he has learned from his time at Oakwell.